February 05, 2018

St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin

[St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin]

(1869-1947)

February 8

Born in Sudan, she was taken at age 9 by slave traders who called her “Bakhita” (fortunate). She was sold as a slave to the Italian Consul (1883) who treated her with kindness and brought her to Italy. She was baptized (1890), taking the name Josephine. By Italian law, since she was an adult, she was now free. She joined the Canossian Daughters of Charity in Venice and led a simple life as a cook, seamstress and doorkeeper. Her gentleness and compassion endeared her to all who called her “our Black Mother.” She was canonized in 2000. Like her, may we use our freedom and simple gifts to serve the poor and suffering.